Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, the leading charity for brain cancer research, awareness and advocacy in Australia, has announced its annual flagship Walk4BrainCancer event will be taking place virtually this year. The organisation is encouraging communities around Australia and New Zealand to Walk4BrainCancer on Sunday 26 September, with the record-breaking goal of raising $2,100,000.
Brain cancer kills more children than any other disease, and more people under 40 than any other cancer. The financial cost of the disease – to both patients and society – is the highest of all cancers. Cure Brain Cancer Foundation’s goal is to increase brain cancer survival rates and improve the quality of life for people living with the disease.
CEO of Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, Lance Kawaguchi said: “Over the years, the success of Walk4BrainCancer has enabled record levels of brain cancer research, which is integral for increasing survival rates and improving the quality of life for people living with the disease.”
“Although we can’t have our in-person walks in New South Wales this year, we’re excited to be able to go ahead with a virtual event so everyone can get involved, no matter where you live.”
Brain cancer survival rates are low and have hardly changed for 30 years, despite significant increases in survival for other types of cancer. For instance, the five-year survival rate of prostate cancer has increased from 60% to over 90%, and breast cancer has increased 72% to over 90%. The survival rate for brain cancer has increased from 21.2% in 1986, to only 22.3% today.
Funds raised from this year’s Walk4BrainCancer event will be used to support several new programs the Foundation is launching this year – including innovative clinical trials, fellowships to support young researchers, and programs to accelerate treatments from the lab into the clinic for patients with brain cancer.
Kawaguchi added: “We are encouraging all Australians to get outside and Walk4BrainCancer on Sunday 26 September. Not only will you be backing world-class brain cancer research, advocacy and awareness, ultimately, you’ll be helping to move us closer to a cure.”
In 2020, Walk4BrainCancer was shifted to a virtual event for the first time due to COVID-19, and raised a massive $1.68 million. This year, there are a range of Walk4BrainCancer challenges for participants to choose from, including walking or running 5km, 10km or 20km in their local area. Individuals can set up their own fundraising page or join a team to raise donations.
Launched in 2013, Walk4BrainCancer has funded projects across Australia and overseas, enabled collaborations between the best brain cancer researchers from around the globe, and brought ground-breaking clinical trials to Australia. Thanks to the event, Cure Brain Cancer Foundation has funded over $21 million dollars in world-class research projects, including over $3 million in clinical trials to help find a cure for the disease. This year, the organisation has reinstated a world-leading Scientific Advisory Committee and launched its first ever Global Ambassador Program.
Find out more about Cure Brain cancer Foundation at curebraincancer.org.au and register to Walk4BrainCancer at walk4braincancer.com.au.
